1. EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens (Freedom of Movement)
Who it's typically for
- Citizens of European Union member states
- Citizens of European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)
- Swiss nationals
- Non-EU family members of the above (separate process applies)
What it generally allows
Work rights: Full right to work as employee or self-employed without permit
Residency: Indefinite right to reside; registration required for stays exceeding 90 days
Duration: Initial registration valid for 5 years; permanent residence after 5 years continuous legal residence
Key constraints or tradeoffs
- Registration (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión) is mandatory for stays over 3 months
- Must demonstrate one of: employment, self-employment, sufficient financial resources with health insurance, or student status with health coverage
- Municipal registration (empadronamiento) typically required before residency registration
- UK citizens no longer qualify following Brexit; must use non-EU pathways
Common misunderstandings
What this choice affects next
Banking
EU registration certificate generally accepted for account opening
Healthcare
Access route depends on employment status; employed persons typically access public system via Social Security contributions
Taxes
Tax residency typically applies after 183+ days in Spain; affects worldwide income taxation
Authoritative sources
- Spanish Ministry of Interior (sede.policia.gob.es) – EU citizen registration procedures
- European Commission (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) – EU free movement rights
- Royal Decree 240/2007 – Legal framework for EU citizen residence in Spain
2. Digital Nomad Visa (Visado para Teletrabajar)
Who it's typically for
- Non-EU nationals working remotely for employers or clients outside Spain
- Freelancers and self-employed professionals with foreign clients
- Remote workers who can demonstrate stable income from non-Spanish sources
- May include family members (spouse, dependent children, dependent relatives)
What it generally allows
Work rights: Remote work for foreign companies/clients; up to 20% of work may be for Spanish clients if self-employed
Residency: 1-year visa if applied from abroad; up to 3 years if applied from within Spain (while legally present)
Duration: Renewable for additional 2-year periods; pathway to permanent residence after 5 years
Key constraints or tradeoffs
- Income threshold tied to Spanish minimum wage (generally 200% SMI for main applicant; approximately €2,760/month as of 2025)
- Additional income required per family member (75% SMI for first dependent, 25% for each additional)
- Must demonstrate university degree OR minimum 3 years professional experience in relevant field
- Private health insurance required (must be from provider authorized in Spain)
- Employer/company must have been operating for at least 1 year
- Social security obligations may apply depending on nationality and bilateral agreements
Common misunderstandings
What this choice affects next
Banking
Visa serves as proof of legal residence; generally sufficient for account opening
Healthcare
Private insurance is mandatory requirement; access to public healthcare may come later through Social Security
Taxes
Tax residency typically triggered after 183+ days; special "Beckham Law" tax regime may be available
Authoritative sources
- Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (inclusion.gob.es)
- Spanish Consulate websites (exteriores.gob.es) – Application procedures by location
- Law 28/2022 (Startups Law) – Legal framework for digital nomad residence
3. Non-Lucrative Visa (Visado de Residencia No Lucrativa)
Who it's typically for
- Retirees with pension or passive income
- Individuals with sufficient savings or investment income
- Those who wish to reside in Spain without working
- Not intended for remote workers or those seeking employment
What it generally allows
Work rights: No work permitted (neither employment nor self-employment, including remote work)
Residency: Initial 1-year visa; renewable for 2-year periods
Duration: After 5 years continuous residence, may apply for permanent residence
Key constraints or tradeoffs
- Financial threshold typically 400% of IPREM for main applicant (approximately €28,800/year as of recent guidance), plus 100% IPREM per dependent
- Income must be passive (pensions, investments, rental income from outside Spain); employment income not permitted
- Private health insurance mandatory (comprehensive coverage, no copays, from Spanish-authorized provider)
- Working-age applicants may need to provide affidavit confirming intent not to work
- Physical presence requirement for renewal (generally 183+ days/year in Spain)
Common misunderstandings
What this choice affects next
Banking
Visa serves as residence proof; generally facilitates account opening
Healthcare
Private insurance is required throughout; no automatic access to public system without employment
Taxes
Tax residency applies; worldwide income generally taxable in Spain; no employment deductions available
Authoritative sources
- Spanish Consulate websites (exteriores.gob.es) – Jurisdiction-specific requirements
- Spanish Ministry of Interior – Immigration regulations
- IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples) – Official income reference index
4. Work Visas (High-Level Overview)
Who they're typically for
- Non-EU nationals with job offers from Spanish employers
- Highly qualified professionals, executives, and specialists
- Intra-company transferees within multinational organizations
- Researchers and academics
Main categories (not exhaustive)
Regular Work Visa (Cuenta Ajena)
- Standard employment authorization
- Requires employer sponsorship and often labor market test
- Initial 1-year duration; renewable
Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) Visa
- For executives, managers, technical specialists
- Requires university degree OR 3+ years professional experience
- Minimum salary thresholds apply (varies; often €40,000+ annually)
- Expedited processing (generally 20 days for permit, 10 days for visa)
- Up to 3 years initial validity; family members may accompany
EU Blue Card
- EU-wide scheme for highly skilled workers
- Requires higher education qualification and job offer meeting salary threshold
- Offers intra-EU mobility after 12 months
- Valid for up to 4 years
Intra-Company Transfer
- For employees transferred within same company/group
- Categories: managers, specialists, trainees
- Duration linked to transfer period
Key constraints or tradeoffs
- Employer-initiated process for most categories (not applicant-driven)
- Regular work permits may require proof position cannot be filled locally
- Processing typically begins in Spain; visa obtained at consulate after approval
- Tied to specific employer; changing jobs may require new authorization
Common misunderstandings
What this choice affects next
Banking
Work permit + NIE generally sufficient for account opening
Healthcare
Employment triggers Social Security registration and access to public healthcare
Taxes
Subject to Spanish income tax; special regimes may apply for certain categories
Authoritative sources
- Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (inclusion.gob.es)
- UGE-CE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos) – Processing unit for HQP and strategic visas
- European Commission (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) – EU Blue Card information
5. Family Reunification
Who it's typically for
- Non-EU family members of legal residents in Spain
- Spouse/partner, minor children, dependent parents of the sponsor
- Distinct from EU family member process (which applies to family of EU citizens)
What it generally allows
Work rights: Generally permitted for spouses and children over 16 after TIE issuance
Residency: Permit duration typically matches sponsor's permit length
Duration: Renewable; pathway to permanent residence after 5 years
Eligible family members (general regime)
- Spouse or registered partner (one only; same-sex recognized)
- Minor children under 18 (including adopted if adoption valid in Spain)
- Disabled adult children dependent on sponsor
- Dependent parents over 65 (requires sponsor to hold long-term residence, 5+ years)
Key constraints or tradeoffs
- Sponsor must have resided legally in Spain for at least 1 year with renewable permit
- Income threshold applies: generally 150% IPREM plus 50% per additional family member
- Adequate housing must be demonstrated
- Two-stage process: authorization in Spain, then visa at consulate abroad
- Parents: strict requirements including proof of financial dependency
Common misunderstandings
What this choice affects next
Banking
Family member's TIE card facilitates banking access
Healthcare
Access route depends on sponsor's status and family member's work rights
Taxes
Family members become tax residents if meeting presence thresholds
Authoritative sources
- Spanish Ministry of Interior (sede.policia.gob.es) – Family reunification procedures
- Spanish Consulate websites (exteriores.gob.es) – Visa requirements by family type
- European Commission (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) – Family reunification in Spain overview
6. Investor Residency (Golden Visa) — Historical Reference
Who it was typically for
- Non-EU nationals making significant investments in Spain
- High-net-worth individuals seeking residency without physical presence requirements
- Primary route was real estate investment (minimum €500,000)
What it generally allowed
Work rights: Full work authorization included
Residency: 1-year initial (or 3 years if applied from Spain); renewable for 5-year periods
Duration: No minimum stay requirement; permanent residence after 5 years if presence requirements met
Family: Immediate family members included
Investment options that existed
- Real estate: minimum €500,000 (most common)
- Company shares: minimum €1,000,000
- Bank deposits: minimum €1,000,000
- Government bonds: minimum €2,000,000
- Business projects creating employment
Why it ended
- Spanish government cited housing affordability concerns
- Concentration of investments in major cities (Barcelona, Madrid, coastal areas)
- EU-wide trend toward restricting investment-based residency programs
- Legislative change approved December 2024; effective April 2025
What this means for alternatives
- Non-Lucrative Visa: Viable for those with passive income (no work rights)
- Digital Nomad Visa: For remote workers meeting income thresholds
- Work visas: For those with employment or business opportunities
- Other EU Golden Visa programs: Portugal (fund investment), Greece, Italy, Malta remain options
Authoritative sources
- Organic Law 1/2025 – Abolition of investor residence provisions
- Law 14/2013 (now amended) – Original Golden Visa framework
- Spanish Ministry of Inclusion – Official announcements
Cross-Cutting Dependencies Summary
| Visa Type | Work Rights | Banking Access | Healthcare Route | Tax Residency Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA | Full | Registration certificate | Via employment or private | 183+ days |
| Digital Nomad | Remote (foreign employers) | Visa + NIE | Private required; Social Security possible | 183+ days |
| Non-Lucrative | None | Visa + NIE | Private required | 183+ days |
| Work Visa | Per permit scope | Permit + NIE | Public via Social Security | 183+ days |
| Family Reunification | Generally yes (spouses/16+) | TIE card | Via sponsor or own employment | 183+ days |
| Golden Visa (closed) | Full | Permit + NIE | Private or public via SS | Could avoid if <183 days |
Sources Consulted
Official Spanish Government Sources
- Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones – inclusion.gob.es
- Ministerio del Interior – Sede Policial – sede.policia.gob.es
- Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores – exteriores.gob.es – Consulate-specific pages
- Portal de Administración Electrónica – administracion.gob.es
EU Sources
- European Commission – Migration and Home Affairs Portal – home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
- EU Immigration Portal – Spain country pages
Legal Framework
- Law 14/2013 (Entrepreneurs Law) – HQP, intra-company transfers, investor residence
- Law 28/2022 (Startups Law) – Digital nomad provisions
- Royal Decree 240/2007 – EU citizen free movement
- Organic Law 4/2000 – General foreigners law
- Organic Law 1/2025 – Golden Visa abolition